Reds And Tommies Tangle Again

(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB REDS women’s basketball team saw action for a second consecutive Friday, hosting their cross-campus neighbours from St. Thomas University in a controlled scrimmage.

The REDS, of Atlantic University Sport, and Tommies, of the Atlantic Colleges Athletic Association, played a five period controlled scrimmage a week ago.

UNB jumped out to an early 8-0 lead on the strength of long-range three-point shots from Jolianne Guay and Bailey Black.

The REDS extended that lead to 13-2, displaying an aggressiveness on offence and defence, emerging with a 24-16 lead after the first ten minutes.

The REDS continued their aggressive play in the second quarter, pushing their lead to 47-34 at the half.

The pace dropped, slightly, for both teams in the third quarter. UNB was able to extend the lead by another pair, leading 62-45 after 30 minutes.

“We definitely made some improvements, this week in practice, made some adjustments, I think we came out with a lot more energy than we did last week, so I think that was a huge improvement for us this week,” said fourth-year REDS point guard Bailey Black. “We were just playing better team basketball, I would say. Individuals were doing good things, but also, just as a team, we were moving the ball really well and trying to get scores that way, trying to get the best shot rather than the first shot.”

In the fourth, the Tommies went on their own 13-2 run through the first five minutes, but the REDS rallied enough to hold their lead, winning the scrimmage 72-63.

“I think that UNB came out with a lot more energy tonight compared to last Friday, and they were more ready to play,” said Tommies’ fourth-year wing Morgan McHatten. “It took us one or two quarters to get into the game, and in the second half, I think we did a lot better, we cleaned up some things.”

Due to COVID-19 concerns, UNB’s Richard J. Currie Center was closed to spectators.

Black says the REDS weren’t happy with their performance last Friday, and wanted to make amends.

“I think just realizing that we needed some growth this week, and those first game jitters from last week kind of went away this week, and we just came out a lot more strong and with a lot more energy this week,” she said.

RECAP AND PHOTOS BY: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics